Pediatric Echocardiogram Results: A Guide for Parents - Cardiology

More Info

---

Understanding pediatric echocardiogram results can be quite challenging for parents, especially when it comes to interpreting the various measurements and findings. In the case of your 3-year-old daughter, who was born prematurely at 30 weeks and had some initial cardiac concerns, it's essential to break down the echocardiogram report into understandable components.


Key Measurements and Findings
1. Basic Measurements:
- IVSd (Interventricular Septum Diastolic): 0.62 cm
- LVIDd (Left Ventricular Internal Diameter Diastolic): 2.9 cm
- FS (Fractional Shortening): 43.5%
- EF (Ejection Fraction): 76.4%
- LA Dimension (Left Atrium): 1.9 cm
- Ao Root Diameter: 1.4 cm
These measurements are within normal ranges for a child of her age and size. The ejection fraction (EF) of 76.4% indicates that the heart is pumping effectively, as normal values for children typically range from 55% to 75%.

2. Doppler Measurements:
- MV E max vel (Mitral Valve E wave maximum velocity): 117.0 cm/sec
- MV A max vel (Mitral Valve A wave maximum velocity): 66.3 cm/sec
- MV E/A ratio: 1.8
The E/A ratio is an important indicator of diastolic function. A ratio greater than 1 suggests that the heart is filling well, which is a positive sign.

3. Situs and Function:
- Situs solitus: Normal arrangement of the heart.

- Levocardia: The heart is positioned normally on the left side of the chest.

- No chamber enlargement: Indicates that the heart chambers are of normal size.

4. Valvular Assessment:
- Trivial TR (Tricuspid Regurgitation): This is a very mild backflow of blood through the tricuspid valve, which is often considered normal in children.

- Trivial PR (Pulmonary Regurgitation): Similar to TR, this is a minor backflow through the pulmonary valve, also typically not a concern.

5. Atria and Interatrial Septum:
- Intact IAS (Interatrial Septum): This means there are no significant defects in the wall separating the left and right atria.

6. Aortic Arch:
- Left aortic arch: This is a normal anatomical variant.

- No CoA (Coarctation of the Aorta): This is a significant finding as coarctation can lead to serious complications if present.

- No PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus): This is also a positive finding, indicating that the ductus arteriosus has closed appropriately.


Conclusion and Recommendations
Based on the echocardiogram results, your daughter's heart appears to be functioning well with no significant abnormalities detected at this time. The trivial regurgitations noted are common in pediatric patients and usually do not require intervention unless they become more severe.


Follow-Up
Given your daughter's history of being born prematurely with initial cardiac concerns, it is crucial to maintain regular follow-ups with her pediatric cardiologist. They will monitor her heart's development and function over time, especially since children can grow and change rapidly.


Heart Murmurs
Regarding your concern about heart murmurs, the report does not indicate any significant murmurs that would suggest a serious issue. Trivial regurgitation may sometimes be associated with a soft murmur, but this is generally not a cause for concern.

In summary, while it is natural to feel anxious about your child's health, the echocardiogram results suggest that her heart is currently functioning well. Always feel free to discuss any concerns with her healthcare provider, who can provide personalized insights based on her medical history and ongoing assessments.